5 Tips for Finding Affordable, Last-Minute Christmas Gifts

This post may contain affiliate links which may compensate us based on your interaction. Please read the disclosures for more information.

Buying gifts a few days before Christmas can be costly and stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. See our advice on how to save money, even if time is limited. 

The final days before Christmas are often a blur of festive events, scrambling to finish work, and preparations for the big day. If you feel like December has passed in a whirlwind and you still have gifts to buy, try not to panic. There are still plenty of ways to find thoughtful presents that won’t break the bank. If you’re shopping for last-minute gifts, we’ve got you covered.

1. Use in-store pickup

If you shop online, you could be cutting it close at this point. Some stores may be able to deliver before the 25th — Amazon Prime customers in some parts of the country can still get same-day delivery on certain items until as late as Christmas Eve.

Even so, deliveries can go astray. That’s where in-store pickup can come in handy. If you’re willing pick up your items, you can skip the worst of the crowds, find great deals, and still make it home in time to wrap your gifts before Christmas. Be aware, there will probably still be a checkout line, and some retailers don’t offer this service.

2. Go digital

From subscriptions to experiences, digital gifts are available almost instantaneously and can suit almost every budget. If your bank balance can’t accommodate a year’s subscription to luxury jewelry, consider a less frequent subscription to something more low-key. The Walmart beauty box costs less than $7 a quarter and comes with five to seven products for year-round glamour.

I’ve gifted many subscriptions over the years, but the available variety and quality has skyrocketed since the pandemic. Here are a few to consider:

Meal delivery kits: Busy households will welcome a few nights where they don’t have to think about dinner. Look into a gift card or one-month (or even one-week) meal subscription.Magazine subscriptions: Find out if your giftee already subscribes to the magazine in question. If not, and it’s content you know they’ll enjoy, this can be a classic gift. A few years ago, I gifted my nephews a Nat Geo Kids subscription, and it went down a treat.Plants and seeds: If they’ve got space, the botanist in your life might appreciate a plant or seed subscription, either monthly or quarterly.Alcohol and snacks: As long as the recipient isn’t planning a dry January, a subscription could introduce them to a world of new flavors. If alcohol busts your budget, look for a snack box to accompany their tipples instead.Guaranteed to surprise: We ruled out some of the wackiest subscription boxes because they were just too surreal or too niche. But from bamboo toilet paper to monthly moss deliveries, you can unleash the zany joys of all corners of the internet all year round.

Money-saving tip

Shop around for subscriptions and add the words “special offer” to your search. Popular coupon site Groupon had several deals with discounts of 50%, 56%, and even 67% on meal subscriptions. I also found some great offers by typing “discount plant subscription” into Google.

Do your research

Not all my subscription gifts have gone down well. I thought my Mum would love to receive a book every month from an independent bookstore. But I didn’t do enough research. It was six months before she told me the books had been “a bit too alternative” for her taste. Turns out, it was a punk bookstore. The lesson? Panic buying year-long subscriptions can seriously backfire.

3. Give to charity

Shopping for the person who has everything? They may appreciate (and even prefer) you donating to their favorite charity instead. You could plant a tree in the rainforest, adopt a species with the World Wildlife Fund, give a meal to someone facing food insecurity, and much more. Think about what causes are close to their hearts and maybe include a few lines about the charity you choose in their card.

4. Give a gift card or voucher

The big benefit of a gift card or vouchers is the recipient can choose exactly what they want. You can make it as personalized or broad as you like, from a restaurant you know they enjoy to an Amazon or Walmart gift card.

You can buy gift cards directly from the retailer in question at stores like Costco or at coupon sites, among other places. Look for gift card promotions; Best Buy was selling a $100 Instacart gift card for just $85 at time of writing. Watch out for scams and make sure there are no tricksy conditions like needing to spend it within a short time frame. If you want to earn credit card rewards on your gift card purchase, check to see if there are any restrictions. Not all credit cards allow this.

5. Appeal to their curiosity

Sign up a life-long learner with MasterClass or give them a course on Udemy or another online platform. This is perhaps the most risky of the ideas here because you might get a subscription to an online service they never use. Sound out your recipient on what they’ve already used, what they like, and whether they have any specific learning ambitions for 2024.

But watch out for auto-renewals! I got hit by MasterClass’s auto renewal policy. Your gift recipient will have to enter their card information to claim the subscription. If they don’t cancel, they’ll automatically be charged for the following year. Remind them to cancel their subscription so that your gift doesn’t wind up costing them money.

Spruce up your digital gift

If you’re giving something virtual or intangible, make it physical by printing the information or voucher. Gift it along with a card or small token such as a chocolate bar. If you want to go the extra mile, use a photo of the both of you on the card and hunt online for a relevant poem or quote. Small touches like that can take a digital gift to the next level.

Our picks for the best credit cards

Our experts vetted the most popular offers to land on the select picks that are worthy of a spot in your wallet. These best-in-class cards pack in rich perks, such as big sign-up bonuses, long 0% intro APR offers, and robust rewards. Get started today with our recommended credit cards.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Emma Newbery has positions in Amazon. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Best Buy, Costco Wholesale, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

 Read More